Liquid dispensing device



Dec. 2, 1941, E. J. svENsoN LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Feb. 21, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l 50er/125077.! @P @y d @i Dec. 2, 1941. E. J. svENsoN LIQUID DISPENSING DEVIC 2 sheefs-sheet 2 Filed Feb. 2l, 1938 Patented Dec. 2, 1941 UNITED STATES-PATENT OFFICE LIQUID DISSSG DEAVICE l Application February 2l, 1938, Serial No. I191,751

7Claims.

This invention relates to an electric dispensing device and more particularly to a computing pump type of liquid dispensing apparatus.

It is an object of this invention to provide in a liquid dispensing apparatus eicient and practically operable means for controlling the operation of the pump or other liquid feeding means from a remote point and particularly from and by the nozzle of the dispensing hose. Liquid dispensing devices in which the operation of the liquid feeding means -is directly controlled from and by the nozzle valve have been heretofore suggested. 'I'his method of control has not proven entirely satisfactory because it causes errors in measurement of the quantity and cost of the liquid dispensed and because excessive strains are placed upon the dispensing means including a hose which is usually of a flexible character and therefore quickly destroyed by such excessive strains.

Applicant has found thatfthese errors in measurement and the excessive straining of the hose are due to the lag between the operation of the nozzle valve and the stopping of the liquid feeding means or pump, this lag in operation causing an excessive pressure to be built up between the pump or meter and the hose nozzle valve and in the exible dispensing hose. This excessive pressure forces the hose to "bulge or kick and after the pump has substantially come to rest causes the liquid to ilow backwardly or "leak from the hose to the meter or pump and tov return into the supply line or reservoir. The liquid delivered to the hose having been passed through the meter and measured thereby, the

amount of this reverse flow or leakage represents an actual error in measurement of the total quantity and cost of the liquid dispensed.

It is accordingly an object of applicants invention to provide in a liquid dispensing device means for overcoming these defects and insumciencies of such prior art devices.

Another object of applicants invention is to provide in a liquid dispensing device, means associated with the hose or dispensing line for relievlng the pressures built up therein upon the closing of the nozzle valve. Y

- It is a further object of applicants invention to provide in a liquid dispensing device means forquickly stopping the liquid feeding means in response to the closure of the nozzle valve or in response to the operation of other remote control means to prevent so far as possible `the building up of `an excessive pressure in the hose and between the nozzle valve or control means and the liquid feeding means.

A more specific object of applicants invention contemplates the provision of a means for plugging the electric motor which drives the liquid feeding means or pump and ,a means for relieving the pressure in the hose or dispensing line so that upon closure of the nozzle valve, or upon operation of other remote control means, the motor and hence the pump will be so quickly brought to rest that substantially no increase in pressure, above the'operating pressure of a pressure control switch, will normally occur in the ing drawings, wherein:

Fig. 'l is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section. of a. liquid dispensing device embodying the invention:

Fig. 2'is a fragmentary vertical section taken along the line 2--2 of Fig. l:

v Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4 and 5 are schematic diagrams of circuits for controlling the electric motor:

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation and partly ln section of the dispensing nozzle;

Figs. 'I and 8 are fragmentary views in elevation and partly in section of the dispensing nozzle for showing the operation of the nozzle valve and pressure relief means; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section showing in detail the construction of the pressure relief means.

As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is provided the usual uid reservoir, specifically a gasoline reservoir, 2 into which an inlet pipe l enters, being provided with the common type of foot control valve l well known in the art. I'he inlet pipe 4 passes upwardly from the reservoir 2 and into an upstanding casing 8 of any suitable form and the pipe is connected to the intake of a liquid pump or liquid metering pump I0 of desired type, preferably of the intermeshing gear type which measures as well as pumps the liquid into a dispensing line I2 connected to the outlet of the metering pump. The type ofpump and air-release mechanism, preferred for use with the present invention ae disclosed in applicant'scopending applications, Serial No. 151,858, led July 3, 1937; Serial No. 153,578, filed July 14, 1937; and Serial No. 155,265, led July 23, 1937.

The liquid from the dispensing line I2 passes to a sight glass I4 and thence through a flexible dispensing hose I6. The hose I6 is provided with a nozzle I1 and with suitable flow control means,

preferably a nozzle valve I8 at the dispensing end thereof, this nozzle valve being operable by a valve control lever 20 for controlling the flow therethrough. Pressure relief means 2|, later to be described, is preferably associated with the nozzle valve |8 and automatically acts, as will later appear, to relieve the pressure of the liquid in the dispensing hose and the dispensing line when said pressure rises above a certain predetermined value. A stand-by hook 22 of conventional construction is pivoted at 24 to the casing 6 and is provided with an inwardly extending arm 26 pivotally connected to a switch operating link 28.

'I'he housing 6 is provided with a plurality of windows, preferably on opposite sides thereof, there being on each side a window 30 inwhich an indication of the number of gallons dispensed may be displayed; a second window 32 in which a running indication of the total volume of gasoline dispensed and the inal value of the purchase may be displayed; and also a third window 34 for indicating unit price, i. e., price per unit of volume, specifically cents or fraction of cents per gallonwhen used in the United States and, when used in other countries, according to the units of price and volume.

Conventional gallonage and price computing registers may be mounted within the casing 6,

these registers being provided with indicatingdials visible through the openings 80 and 32. A price per gallon register or indicator is also mounted within the casing 8 in a position to be The weighted levers 62 are connected by links 'I2 to a cross head 14 splined to the shaft 68 for rotation therewith and for axial movement therealong.

A cup-shaped member 'I6 is journaled on the cross head 'I4 by a frctionless ball bearing I8 received within the cup-shaped member. Rotation of the cup-shaped member 16 is prevented by bolts 80 passing through the bearing retaining plate 82 and threaded into said cup-shaped member. The bolts 80 extend upwardly from the cup-shaped member 16 and the plate 82 and are received between transverse plates 84 secured to or formed integrally with the housing portion 58. The plates 84 prevent any'substantial rotation of the bolts 80, the plate 82 and the cupshaped member I6 about the axis of the shaft 68. A spring 86 interposed between the head of each bolt 80 and the plate 82 retains this plate in its proper position. as shown in Fig. 3.

The plate 82 is provided with opposite, diametrically extending projections or lugs 88 on which are insulatingly mounted contact points or buttons 90, these buttons being connected by a wire 92 (Fig. 2). A generally U-shaped or semicircular plate 94, carrying diametrically opposed contact points or buttons 96 (Fig. 2), is bolted to a bracket 98 adjustably secured by a bolt |00 passing through an enlarged opening in the bracket 98 to an inwardly extending flange |02 formed integrally with the housing portion 58.

The cylindrical switch housing portion 58 of the motor casing is provided with an opening |04 and a detachable cover |06 for said opening, whereby, upon removal of the cover, an adjustment of the bracket 98 and the switch contacts 96 may be accomplished.

Wires for connecting the pressure operating switch 36 to the motor 42 and to the outlet box visible through the opening 34. These registers are operated and controlled in a manner later to be described.

A pressure operating switch 36 is mounted within the casing 8 and has its liquid pressure line or pipe 38 connected at a suitable point to the dispensing line I2 in order that the plugging switch 40 (Figs. 4 and 5) of the pressure operating switch 36 may be controlled in accordance with the pressures in the dispensing line.

An electric motor 42, supported in any suitable manner within the casing 8, is drivngly connected by means of suitable gearing such as bevel gears 44, 46, 48 and 50 and the shaft 62 to the metering pump I0. The motor 42 may be of any desired type, either of direct or alternating current but preferably is an alternating current motor of the single phase capacitor type since most gasoline dispensing stations are supplied with single phase, alternating current and the capacitor type of motor has been found by applicant to be most readily adaptable with a minimum of external equipment for dynamic braking in accordance with applicant's invention.

A circuit breaker or primary control switch 54 (Figs. 4 and 5) may be mounted upon or within the casing of the motor 42 and is operated by the stand-by hook 22 through the link 28 and a crank 56 attached to the operating shaft of said switch.

|08 within the casing 8 are enclosed within suitable electric conduits or ducts I I0 within the casing 8.

I'he internal constructionof one form of motor 42 is schematically illustrated in Fig. 4. As there shown, the motor comprises windings II2 and |I4 disposed electrically at right angles to each other, an auto transformer II6 and a capacitor |I8. One end of the winding I|4 is connected to one end of the Winding ||2 as at |20, the opposite end |22 of the winding ||4 being connected to an intermediate point |24 on the auto transformer II6. The opposite end |26 of the winding |I2 is connected to the end |28 of the auto transformer and the capacitor ||8 is connected between the ends |28 and |30 of the auto transformer.

It will therefore be seen that the single phase -motor 42 is self-starting, the capacitor ||8 and the auto transformer II6 causing the currents through the windings ||2 and |I4 to be displaced in phase sumcient to create a rotating field supplying a starting torque.

'I'he primary control switch 54, the plugging switch 40 and the zero speed, centrifugal switch 60 are connected to the internal circuit of the motor as follows. The primary control switch is directly inserted in the supply lines L1 and L2 and one contact of this switch is connected by a wire |82 to the common point'of connection |20 between the windings II2 and |I4. The other contact of the switch 64 isV connected by a wire |34 to the contact blade |86 of the plugging switch 40. 'Ihe plugging switch 40 comprises, in addition to the contact blade |36, which is operated by the diaphragm of the pressure operating switch is connected by a wire |44 to one of the fixed contacts 96 of the zero speed switch 60.

The other contact 96 of this last mentioned switch is connected by a wire |46 to the end |22 of the winding |I4 and thereby to .the intermediate point |24 of the auto transformer.

The operation of the control circuit shown in Fig. 4 is as follows. 'I'he primary control switch 54 being in closed position and the switch blade |36 of the switch 40 being in engagement with the contact |40, current is suppliedto the motor from the line Lx through the wire |82, the winding H2, the wire |42, contact |40, switch blade |36 and wire luto the line L. The winding |I4 and the primary winding portion of the auto transformerl 6 are serially connected in parallel to the winding I|2. The capacity impedance reiiected into the primary winding portion causes the current in the winding II4 to lead the current in the winding I I2 to thereby create a starting torque in a forward direction. As the motor picks 11D Speed, the zero speed switch 60 is operated to cause its contacts 98 to engage the contacts 96 which remain thus connected until the motor is substantially brought .to rest.

The motor is brought to rest or stopped by the engagement of the blade |36 ofthe plugging switch 40 with the contact I 38 which completes a circuit from the supply line L2, the wire |34, the blade |36, the contact |38, wire |44, contacts nook zz and the latter rotated about as pivot 96 and 98 of the zero speed switch 60 and the Wire |46 to the end |22 of the Winding II4.

'I'he common point of connection |20 of the windings |I2 and |I4 remains connected to the supply line L1 through the wire |32. The winding |I4 is now connected directly across the' supply lines Ll and L2 and the winding ||2 and the primary winding portion of the auto transformer ||6 are now connected serially in parallel to the winding I I4. Since the current to the winding II2 now leads the current in the winding II4, a retarding torque is created which quickly brings the motor to rest. As the motor slows down and reaches substantially zero speed, the switch 68 breaks the connection between the nxed contacts 96 and thereby opens the motor circuit before an actual reversal of the motor is accomplished.

'I'he blade |36 of the plugging switch 40 which effects this quick stopping of the motor 42 is operated by the pressure responsive diaphragm 24 to operate the link 28 to close the primary switch 54. The motor circuit remains open at the zero speed switch 60 and at the contact |40 of the plugging switch 40. Upon opening of the. nozzle valve |8 to dispense the liquid, the pressure in the hose I6 and the dispensing line I2 is reduced. The pressure operating switch 36, in response to this reduced pressure, moves the blade v|36 of the "plugging switch into engagement with the contact |40 and completes the forward circuit of the motor through thereonnections previously described. The metering pump |0 is thus started into operation in synchronism with the motor 42 and in synchronism with the register operating shaft |48. 'I'he desired quantity of liquid having been dispensed, as evidenced by the gallonage and price indicating registers, the nozzle valve I8, which is preferably spring urged toward closed position, is allowed to quickly close.

'I'he closing of this valve causes an increase in the pressure 4of the liquid in the hose |6 and the dispensing line I2. 'I'he pressure responsive diaphragm of the pressure responsive switch 36 is adjusted to operate instantly upon an increase in pressure in the dispensing line I2 to move the blade |36 of the plugging switch 40 into engagement with the contact |38.

This completes the reverse or dynamic breaking circuit to the motor 42 in the manner pref viously described and quickly brings the motor to rest. f

The zero speed switch 60, as previously stated, breaks the circuit between its contacts 96 before any reverse rotation of the motor can be effected. Since the metering pump I0 is directly connected to the motor 42, 'this quick stopping of the motor also eiects a rapid deceleration of the metering pump and in normal operation preventsthe building up of an excessive pressure within the dispensing line I2 and the flexible hose I6.

The motor circuit shown in Fig. 5differs from the motor circuit shown in Fig. 4 only in that the motor is provided internally with a centrifugally operated switch |16 for selectively connectof the pressure operating switch 36 in response to the pressure of the liquid in the dispensing line I2. 'I'he pressure in this dispensing line is controlled by the nozzle valve I8.

A register operating shaft |48 is preferably connected or coupled to the motor shaft 68 and is in turn connected by suitable gears |50, |52, |54, |56, |58 and |60 and shafts |62 and |64 to the gallon register operating shaft |66. The shaft |48 is also connected through suitable change speed mechanism (not shown) under the control of the conventional price .adjustment means to a shaft |68 which is connected by bevel gears |10 and |12 tothe cost register operating shaft The operation of a liquid dispensing device constructed in accordance with the invention as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 is as follows. The dispensing hose I6 is removed from the stand-by ing the end |22 of the winding ||4 to the intermediate points |18 and |80 of the auto transformer ||6. In starting the motor, the centrifugal switch |16 connects the point |18 of the auto transformer with the Winding |I4 and as the motor approaches running speed the switch connects said winding to the point |80 of the auto transformer. It has been found that by increasing the number of windings in the primary portion oi' the auto transformer after the motor is started, the heating of the motor is materially reduced.

` If for any cause the pressure in the dispensing hose and line should increase above the value predetermined for the operation of the pressure responsive switch, such failure, for example, as might be caused by the failure of the motor control circuits or switches to effect the braking and stopping of the motor, the preure relief means 2| will automatically operate to relieve this pressure. The pressure relief means 2| is preferably lief means 2| are associated. may be of any desired construction Vcomprising a lower tubular portion threadedly secured to the coupling |84 carried at the free end of the flexible hose I8. 'I'he lower tubular portion |82 is formed integrally with a valve housing |86 having an opening |88 extending transversely to the axis of the tubular portion |82 and in liquid communication with the bore of said tubular portion. An upper tubular portion |90 formed integrally with the valve housing |86 extends upwardly therefrom and at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the valve housing. The usual flexible nozzle tube |92 is coupled to the tubular portion |90 in any customary manner.

The valve I8 comprises a stem or rod |94 and a valve disk |96 carried by or formed integrally with the stem or rod, the stem or rod |94 passing through and being slidably received in the dome-shaped portion |98 of the nozzle Il. A' suitable packing gland 200 is secured in position about the stem |94 by a retainer 202 and a clamping nut 204 threaded on the nozzle II. The valve disk |98 is provided with a wear-resistant ring 206 having a beveled face 208 adapted to engage the valve seat 2|0. The valve I8 is normally urged to closed position by a coiled spring 2|2 interposed. between the valve disk |96 and the head of a plug 2|4 threaded into the open end of the valve housing |86. This valve is manually movedl into open position against the force of the spring 2|2 by a valve lever 2I6 pivoted to a lug 2|8 projecting laterally from the upper tubular portion |90. 'I'he valve operated lever 2I6 overlies the free end of the valve stem |94 and its outward movement under the action of the valve spring 2|2 is limited by the engagement of a pin 220 carried by the lever with a handle bar or guard 222 formed integrally with or secured to the nozzle I1. The usual check valve 224 may be mounted in the lower tubular portion |82 of the nozzle I'|.

'I'he pressure relief means 2| comprises a valve disk 226 slidably mounted on the stem |94 of the valve I8 and cooperating with a plurality of angularly spaced openings 228 extending axially of the valve disk |96. The valve disk 228 is urged in a direction to close the openings 228 by a coiled spring 230 interposed between the disk and a nut or collar 232 threaded on the threaded portion 234 of the valve stem |94. A

suitable washer 236 may be secured to the valve disk 226 to insure the complete closure of the openings 228 in the main valve disk I 86.

Upon manual manipulation of the operating lever 2|6, the disk |98 of the valve I8' will be moved away from its seat 2| 0 to permit a free flow of the liquid from the dispensing hose, the pressure relief means 2| moving with the valve I8 and the valve disk 226 of said means maintaining the openings 228 closed against a flow of liquid through the valve disk I 96. The desired quantity of liquid having been dispensed, the valve operating lever 2|8 is released to permit the valve I8 to close under the action of the spring 2|2. As previously described the closing of the valve I8 causes an increase in the pressure of the liquid in the hose I6 and dispensing line I2, which increase in pressure causes an operation of the pressure responsive switch 86 and the latter in turn reverses the motor circuit to dynamically brake the motor and bring the same and its directly connected metering pump to rest.

If for any reason the pressure built up in the hose I6 and dispensing line by the closure of the valve I8 should exceed the normal operating pressure ofthe pressure responsive switch 38,

the valve disk 226 of the pressure relief means 2| will be moved away from the valve disk |96 against the action of the spring 230 thereby uncovering the openings 228 in the valve disk |96. Liquid within the dispensing line I2 and hose i6 then goes outwardly of the nozzle through said openings, thereby to relieve the pressure of the liquid in said hose and line and prevent any damaging of the hose and dispensing line and also to prevent any backward flow or leakage of the liquid past the metering pump. Upon release of the pressure within the hose and dispensing line, the valve disk 226 of the pressure relief means will be automatically reseated upon the valve disk |96 and prevent further flow of liquid through the openings 228. The pressure at lwhich the valve disk'226 will be operated to relieve the pressure within the hose can be predetermined by adjustment of the collar or nut 232 along the stem |94 of the valve I8.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that applicant has provided simple, emcient and practically operable means for controlling the operation of a dispensing pump from a remote point, particularly from, and by, a nozzle valve located at the end of the dispensing hose, and has provided means for quickly decelerating or dynamically braking the liquid supply pump and l its driving means so as to prevent, so far as posclaims.

sible, the building up of excessive pressures in the hose and between the nozzle valve control means and the liquid feeding means when the nozzle valve control means is moved into closed position to terminate the dispensing operation. Applicant has in addition provided simple and efficient pressure responsive means for automatically relieving the pressure of the liquid in the dispensing hose or dispensing line if for any reason or because an excessive pressure should momentarily be built up therein.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing'` from the spirit of the invention or sacrlficing any of its attendant advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the.scope of the following I claim:

1. In a liquid dispensing device, a dispensing line, fluid forcing means for delivering liquid under pressure to said dispensing line, driving means for said fluid forcing means, ilow control means for terminating the flow of liquid from said dispensing line, and means including a mechanism responsive to the termination of the flow of liquid from said line upon operation of said flow control means for braking said driving means to stop said fluid forcing means.

2. In a liquid dispensing device, a dispensing line, fluid forcing means for delivering liquid under pressure to said dispensing line, a motor for driving said uid forcing means, valve means for terminating the flow of liquid from said dispensing line, and means including a mechanism responsive to the termination of the iiow of liquid from said line upon operation of said valve means for plugging said motor and braking said iluid forcing means.-

3. In a liquid dispensing device, a. dispens line, iiuid forcing means for delivering liquid under pressure to said dispensing line, flow control means for terminating the flow of liquid from said dispensing line, a motor for driving said fluid forcing means, and switch operating means responsive to the pressure of the liquid in said dissponsive to the pressure of the liquid in said dispensing line for completing the forward motor circuit upon operationof said ow control means to initiate the dispensing operation and for completing the reverse motor circuit to plug the motor and simultaneously stop the meter pump and register upon operation of said ow control means to terminate the dispensing operation, and additional switch Ymeans responsive to motor speed for breaking the reverse circuit before rotation of the motor in the reversing direction.

5. In a liquid dispensing device, a ilow line, al

mined pressure of liquid within said flow -line to uncover said opening and relieve the pressure of dispensing valve in said ow line, said valve having an operating stem, a main valve carried by said stem and having an opening therethrough, an auxiliary valve adjustably mounted on said stem, resilient means for urging said auxiliary valve into engagement with said main valve to normally close said opening, said resilient means permitting movement of said auxilary valve away from said main valve in response to a predeterthe liquid in'said ilowline. l 6. In a liquid dispensing device, flow control means comprising a main valve, means for operatingsaid main valve, an auxiliary valve operble at a predetermined pressure to permit liquid to now through said vmain lvalve when the latter is in closedposition, and means for normally maintaining said auxiliary valve in its closed position, said means determining the pressure at which said valve isl operable to its open position. 7. In a liquid dispensing device, a dispensing line having a dispensing nozzle, means for delivering measured quantities of liquid under pressure to said dispensing line, a manually operable cut-ott valve-in said nozzle terminating the ow of liquid through said dispensing line, said liquid delivering means including a fluid forcing element, a motor for driving said uid forcing element, switch operating means responsive to the closure of said cut-off valve for dynamically braking said motor and said uid forcing ele-` ment to prevent the building up' of excessive pressure in said dispensing line, and pressure responsive means automatically operable upon closure of said cut-olf valve for causing a tran' sient discharge of liquid from said dispensing line to prevent a backward ow of measured liquid through said line.

\ ERNEST J. svENsoN. 

